Biomechanics for Birth for midwives
A one day course for midwives,and other birth professionals combining online precourse work and a day of live training. It examines the biomechanics of the pelvis through labour, the physiology of birth, more effective diagnosis of mechanical labour dystocia and offers biomechanical techniques that help create space for the baby to navigate the journey more easily. The insights offered are especially powerful in cases of obstructed labour but are also highly effective in helping most labouring women have a more comfortable and easier birth
Biomechanics is the science of human movement. It involves the study of structure and function of the mechanical aspects of biological processes
One of the main reasons for interventions in labour is dystocia, also known as ‘Prolonged Labour’ or ‘Failure to Progress’. A mechanical issue is the most common reason for dystocia. A key element of this course is understanding that a suboptimal position and the various disruptions to the birth process are symptoms of dystocia - not a cause. I propose the root cause of a mechanical dystocia stems from two sources. The main one is pelvic imbalance that causes restriction and reduced space and the other is limitations within the birth room that impede movement. The course explores the most common underlying reasons for pelvic imbalance, how to identify the signs of dystocia more readily and how to optimise physiology using biomechanical techniques.
"Vaginal birth is a remarkable event about which little is known from a biomechanical perspective’ Ashton-Miller and DeLancey 2010"
Understanding the biomechanical element of birth offers practitioners a deeper awareness of the baby’s journey through the pelvis and the synergy of the mother/ baby dyad. An improved understanding of the mechanisms of the pelvis and the baby's movement through it aids the development of root cause solutions by supporting and optimising physiology.
The course offers an in-depth understanding of how the pelvis works during the birth process and improved diagnostic tools to identify dystocia. This knowledge allows midwives and doctors to develop powerful tools to reduce the need for medical intervention. It offers simple, tried and tested movements and positions developed over many years in practice, to help resolve the problems caused by restrictions in the pelvis that influence the baby's journey through the pelvis and also raises questions about our own routine assumptions and practice in intrapartum care.
Course Content
- Definition of labour dystocia, suboptimal positions & Statistics & birth outcomes.
- Applying Biomechanics to Birth including, anatomy and & physiology, causes of dystocia who is at risk and why and how to recognise it.
- Practical techniques include instinctive and flexible sacrum birth positions, the use of rebozo and positions to help labour progress such as forward leaning inversion, side lying release, abdominal lift, modified exagerrated lateral position, birth balls and peanut balls
- Techniques to improve diagnosis of a mechanical issue complicating the birth process
- Other helpful strategies that support physiological birth,
- Empowering midwifery and challenging the status quo
- Research and evidence,
- Communication, and consent & documentation
These are just a few of the comments from post course evaluation forms
"What a fantastic course that I feel has brought be back to being a midwife rather than an obstetric nurse. I've felt so out of control and helpless as a labour ward midwife for so long and this has brought me back to feeling like I am helping women be equipped to optimise their own. This is an area of midwifery that we tend to miss out on due to obstetric and staffing pressures. It has given me fire in my belly, and the confidence to use this in women with labour dystocia to increase the chance of progression and vaginal birth when possible. Thank you for this amazing course that has given me back my love for midwifery, and reminded me if the reason I became a midwife in the first place!"
"Thank you so much for an incredible course. It was able to give me positive reflections for my families who later found they had back to back babies and experienced a lot of discomfort in their birth. I feel I am able to take the new information forward to help future families recognise signs of labour dystocia and provide appropriate tools to support them. Thank you so much again!"
"A great interactive course, Molly’s passion is infectious"
"It was such an amazing and informative day. Such a practical study day with so much simple advise to help women on their birthing journey. I really loved it, thank you so much again"
"Thank You wonderful session and so relevant to my practice and future practice"
To Book - click here
If you would like to organise a course in your area please contact us - a group booking can cut individual prices dramatically E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information